Download the Environmental and Social Management System (ESMS) template to support mini-grid development in Africa

CrossBoundary Access believes that open sourcing essential management tools and approaches across the sector will accelerate the sustainable development needed to achieve universal energy access in Africa. The ESMS provides a standardized framework for managing environmental and social impacts, ensuring compliance with both local regulations and international best practices.

A Standardized Approach with Customizable Features

The ESMS template offers a standardized framework for managing environmental and social impacts, complete with detailed procedures to managing broad E&S risks. It provides developers with the flexibility to customize these elements to fit the specific needs and operational contexts of their solar mini-grid projects in Sub Saharan Africa.

Empowering Sustainable Development in Sub Saharan Africa

CrossBoundary Access believes that open sourcing essential environmental and social risk management tools will significantly accelerate sustainable development efforts. By making this ESMS template publicly available, the initiative aims to facilitate the adoption of best practices in environmental and social management, ensuring projects meet both local regulations and international standards.

“The ESMS template is the first of many ESG tools we plan to release to help developers adopt a structured approach to managing environmental and social impacts effectively. Over the last 2 years, CrossBoundary Access has developed these tools to facilitate the right-sized integration of ESG principles in rural solar mini-grid developments,” said Flora Oloo, ESG Manager at CrossBoundary Access.

“We are proud to support CrossBoundary Access in their mission to provide universal energy access in Africa. The ESMS template is an invaluable tool for developers, ensuring that mini-grid projects not only provide power but do so in a way that is sustainable and socially responsible. This initiative aligns with our commitment to catalyzing clean energy innovation and inclusive investments,” said Kwaku Owusu-Achaw, Business Development Director at UK charity, Shell Foundation.

Share your feedback on the ESMS and explore more resources on CrossBoundary Access’s Open Source site.

The Open Source initiative is funded by Shell Foundation, with co-funding from the UK government through the FCDO.

Download the Open Source resources:

Download template Environmental and Social Management System (ESMS)

Download template term sheet for operating service agreement

Download template term sheet for purchase and sales agreement – asset transfer

Download template term sheet for purchase and sales agreement – share purchase

Download template project finance financial model

About Shell Foundation

https://shellfoundation.org

Shell Foundation is an endowed, UK-registered charity that catalyses clean energy innovation and unlocks inclusive investments in Africa and India, empowering millions of underserved customers – of which half are women – to earn a living income. Shell Foundation, with co-funding from the UK government through the FCDO, funded the Open Source project to encourage more investments in mini-grids, which can power whole communities, helping small business owners, rural agricultural households, and urban transporters, the key focus customer groups for the Foundation.